The Cannock Summer Classic is for it's forth instalment. As with all the previous events we're once again on planning a bigger and better event. For 2016 we've got a few changes to the categories, adding a few extra things and moving the event forward. It's also round 4 (final round) of the West Midlands XC series

Firstly please note that this event has sold out for the previous 2 years running. We expect it to be the same for 2016 so please your entry in early as we hate having to turn away riders leading up to the event. 

So what's changed?

Well to start with we're trying to move with the times yet keep the good things that have made the event so special. We've resisted the requests to go with the standard age categories that the main-stream events follow. But we are going to add in a "Pro / Expert" category for 2016. Why? Well it was clear in the 2015 events that even though we didn’t have a category for this standard of rider they just went an entered the Enthusiast anyway. This stretched that category which meant the ability between 1^st and mid pack was too big.

Next up we’ve decided to link up with British Cycling and offer up racing points for those that want them. As we’re not doing the standard age group categories points will be issued slightly different. More details are in the rider information.

Finally… and this is the biggest news. For 2016 the Summer Classic will be part of a 4 (4th and final round) event series based around the West Midlands. We’ve been approached about doing a series before and now feel it’s the right time to do just that. 

So with that’s the news…. Other than the above you will find the same fun, social and relaxed mountain bike event as we’ve always put on. We’ve still got the kids races, the courses are still designed for all, entry into the Women’s race is still subsidized and we’ve still got the Fat Bike / Singlespeed (sorry no electric bikes) category.

Event Details

Held as before on the popular area of Cannock Chase the event will once again be focused more towards the newbie or fun rider. The Classic events have always been about grass routes of mountain biking. Riders from 3 years old to 70 years. People who ride everyday and those that have just started. Everybody with one thing in common and that’s a love for Mountain Biking.

The course is traditional mountain biking with everything from short and sharp climbs, single track descents and fire road blasts. We aim for a course which 100% ridable therefore where we have a technical section we will also have an easy route for those who may be not quite so confident.

At the venue you’ll find camping facilities, fresh water, hard standing parking 100metres from the start and great view points for spectators. We’ll also have caterers and trade stands along.

Our race categories are designed to encourage close competitive racing regardless of what position you finish in. The breakdown of categories are as follows

Beginners - Please before you enter this category ask yourself is this the right race for you. If you are fit and like and have any inclination to chase Strava times then this is not the right category for you. As the name suggests this is for beginners, new riders or those that just know they aren’t super fit but like to have a go

Fun - Next category up from beginners. This is the most popular category. It’s for those who may of raced before but want to just enjoy it and not really worry about how quick they are. You like to go fast but you don’t spend hours a week on the bike and don’t class yourself as “quick”

Enthusiast - For the guys who race a fair bit, spend al lot of time training and generally rip round. Ideal for any Vets, Sport and quick Junior riders Not a category for Elite or Expert riders. British Cycling points will be issued for Vets, Junior, Sport, Grand Vets based on your overall finishing position

Pro / Expert – Top level racing for the quickest guys around. British cycling points will be issued for Elite and Expert riders based on your overall position

Singlespeed / Fat Bike – once again we’re offering up a category for each

Worth a mention is that we've kept with the new U8's category alongside the already popular U10's and U13's races. The kids races have proved to be a massive success at every race we do. So much so we've had to reduce the entry capacity per race. If you have children who fit into this age group and enjoy riding their bike then we highly recommend you get them entered.

We want to encourage more women to give racing a chance, therefore we have made the decision to continue to subsidize the entry fee for the women’s categories 

Race Timing

Timing's are taken on the day, providing a professional service which includes making results available for everybody quickly after their race / overall event.

Photography

We have a professional photographer onsite during to the day. Pictures will be available to purchase on the day or after the event

The Course

As for the course, expect a real mountain bike course. What do we mean by that? Well plenty of nice techy, but fast flowing single track. and some lung busting climbs mixed up with a few fire road sections. As with all our events we try to create a few new sections with the backing from the Forestry Commission ready for the event. If you are a newcomer don't be put off by the "real mountain bike" talk. Our course are 100% ride able by all levels and we don't put anything too dangerous in the course, plus anywhere that has a difficult section in will have a 'chicken route' alternative. The course will be around 5 / 6km in length and take an average of 20mins (Top riders) 30mins (first timers) to complete. The course will be similar to one used for last years Winter classic but with changes to make it different and interesting.

If you are nervous about the course then why not book a skills session with Chase Skills who will help you prepare for any technical aspects of the course.

Directions to the venue

The venue at Tackeroo is ideal for holding events at. Easily accessible from the north or the south Tackeroo is around 15 minutes from the M6 motorway junctions at Cannock (South) or Stafford (North).

Facilities

• Toilets

• Camping - £5 for the weekend

• Parking – Free, there’s lots of hard standing parking at the venue

• Food & Drink - we've managed to secure ‘real’ coffee car vendor, Per-Cup, to attend the event. For the true coffee lovers they'll be offering proper coffee. We'll also be offering a wide selection of home baked cakes & savoury treats

• Onsite drink water - there are a number of taps around the parking area with fresh drinking water.

• Massage Therapy will be set up early Sunday morning offering pre-race treatment and post race treatments . The effects on the legs of a good massage cannot be under estimated.

• Run & Ride Store will be offering the essentials should you forget something and dare we say something breaks. Of course all will be at a reduce "special offer" rate.

Rules

• Helmets must be worn at all times whilst you are on course with your bike.

• Your bike must be in good working order and suitable for the terrain.

• Any areas on the bike that could cause damage to yourself or others during a crash must be covered. E.g open ends of handle bars / bar ends.

• Suitable clothing must be worn for the conditions.

• Abusive or offensive behavior towards the organizers or other competitors will not be tolerated. Please refrain from using any offensive language.

• Please remember that you will be in a public place and whilst we have the backing from the Forestry Commission to use the land we must still share it with other members of the public.
• Please be courteous towards other competitors when passing. If passing a back-marker please give them plenty of warning that you will pass on the left or right. You must then wait for a suitable moment. Remember everybody has the same right to be on the course as you. Anybody found to be barging past or endangering others will be disqualified.

On-line entry is available now using the section below. Entries will be taken on the day with a small surcharge (£5.00) (subject to availability).

Other Information

We will not be sending out race numbers prior to the event. Please arrive with enough time (we recommend at least 1hr before your event start) to sign on. Signing on will be open at 8.30 in the morning so to give any keen riders time to get sorted well before their start time. At signing on you'll need to find your name against your correct category and sign your name. For any under 18's we will need a parent or guardian to sign for you. By signing you are agreeing to follow the rules and regulations of the event (these will be posted on the rider notice board at signing on). You'll be issued with your race number and cable ties. We'll need to take a £1 deposit for each number which will be given back on return of the number.

Entry on the day will be available with a surcharge of £5.00 (we will waver this for the U8's, U10's and U13's categories). Please ensure you allow for more time to enable you to complete a brief application form. It is advised where possible that you enter via the website, this will remain open until midnight Thursday 25^th Feb.

Cancelations / Making Changes

We will be happy to process any cancellations up until 2 weeks (14^th February) before the event. You will also have the option to change details, move category or transfer entries to another rider or have a refund. 

Sorry but no changes or refunds after this date

Info for Riders

The categories are: U8's Boy & Girls (10 Minutes) U10's Boy & Girls (10 Minutes) U13's Boy & Girls (15 Minutes) U16's Male & Female (M - 2 laps / F - 2 laps) Beginners Male & Female (M - 2 laps / F - 1 laps) Fun Male & Female (M - 3 laps / F - 2 laps) Enthusiast Male & Female (M - 4 laps / F - 3 laps) Pro / Expert Male & Female (M – 5 laps / F – 4 laps) Single Speed Male & Female (M - 3laps / F - 2 Laps) Fat Bike Male & Female (M - 3laps / F - 2 Laps) 09.30 - U16's Male 09.31 - Beginners Men 09.32 - U16's Female 09.33 - Beginners Ladies 10.45 - Fun Men 10.46 - Fun Women 12.15 - Under 8's 12.30 - Under 10's 12.45 - Under 13's 13.15 - Elite / Expert Man 13.16 - Enthusiast Men 13.17 - Single Speed / Fat Bike Men 13.18 - Elite / Expert Female & Enthusiast Ladies 13.19 - Single Speed / Fat Bike Ladies Prizes Prizes will be given in each for the first 3 in category where we have entries of 5 or more. When we have less than 5 then a winners prize will be given